The electric guitars in this range are manufactured in the Far East and typically sold as part of a starter package with a Squier SP-10 practice amplifier (e.g. "Starcaster Strat Pack"). In 2006-2007 the Fender website identified them as being sold through Best Buy, Target, Sam's Club, and Costco outlets. Different finishes were available exclusively from each outlet, for example 3-tone sunburst with rosewood fretboard from Best Buy, black with maple fingerboard from Target, metallic black with rosewood fingerboard and pearloid scratchplate from Sam's Club. Although the range was withdrawn from the Fender website in 2007, it continues to be developed and is now sold through a variety of outlets, such as BJ's Wholesale Club, Amazon.com and Buy.com. Most of these guitars are Stratocasters but some versions have a pointed headstock similar to the Fender Swinger.
The typical Starcaster Strat Pack solid-body electric is fitted with 3 single coil pickups, a five way selector switch and a floating tremolo bridge. The neck may have 21 or 22 frets depending on the model. It is similar to the Stratocasters made by Squier. Some models have the headstock painted to match the guitar body. The quality of the guitar is a little lower than a typical Fender Stratocaster. The body may be basswood or agathis depending on model and year of manufacture. Other minor changes such as a lower grade tremolo have also been made to bring down the cost, as well as the Starcaster being manufactured in Far Eastern countries such as China or Indonesia. The cavity under the pickguard is routed to allow an H-S-H pickup configuration, which allows for flexibility in pickup arrangement, but may affect tonal quality. Although most models feature the classic Stratocaster configuration of 3 single-coil pickups, at least one uses the American Deluxe Stratocaster S-S-H pickup configuration with a humbucker in the bridge position. It is not considered a Strat copy because the Starcaster brand is owned by Fender (much as Marauder is owned by Gibson).
Bass guitars under the Starcaster name are less frequently found; one is model no. 284800108 Fender Starcaster J-Bass guitar, based on the Fender Jazz Bass (Amazon.com, 12-Nov-2009).
The following steel-string acoustic/electric guitars have been seen under the Starcaster by Fender name:
A single cutaway acoustic/electric guitar with solid spruce top, built-in pickup and pre-amp. A picture of the packaging of this guitar accompanied the description of the Dreadnought version on Amazon.com, 13-Mar-2008.
A dreadnought acoustic guitar with laminated spruce top, available also as an acoustic/electric with built-in pickup and pre-amp, and a third version adding built-in tuner, with the following details: Frets: 20; Scale length: 25.3"; Width at nut: 1.69"; Width at heel: 2.24"; Body depth: 3.94" - 4.92" (Target.com, 13-Mar-2008)
A 3/4 scale "Starcaster Colt" acoustic guitar (Target.com, 13-Mar-2008)
Fender also markets a drum set under the Starcaster by Fender name. Its shells are made of hardwood. The set features a floor tom, two rack toms, a kick drum, snare, hi-hat and crash cymbals, stands, pedals, a drum chair, tuning key, and drum sticks. In the UK these were sold by Tesco and Argos.
An electronic "table-top" drum kit TT-1 model no. 0887004001 was introduced to the range in 2009, featuring 7 touch-response pads, two pedals and MIDI input and output. (Amazon.com, 12-Nov-2009)
Amplifiers and Effect pedals
In late 2007 Fender introduced a low-priced amplifier and range of effect pedals under the Starcaster by Fender name. These included a blue "Distortion/Eq" pedal, a green-yellow Chorus pedal, an orange Flanger pedal and the "Starcaster 15G" 15W amplifier.
Starcaster by Fender range pages from Fender.com at archive.org
Pointy-headstock Starcaster by Fender guitar image at Overstock.com
Starcaster by Fender Forum page active since 0209 Phillip Short Fender staff moderator
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